I have mailed you photos (see the two new pages devoted to MTC photos and New York Bayshore area photos). The one of Me, a Sister (Red-hair), and my first companion in New York (Elder Griener-my Father) posing in front of Montauk Point Lighthouse is special because it's a photo of me with my parents. The Sister is my Mother and Elder Griener is my Mission Father.
The SECOND companion (which came only my second transfer-sometimes parents stay around a little longer with their children) is always termed as the 'step-parent'. Elder Leal (from Venezuela-and Hispanic) is my Step-pops.
First, I'll explain to you where I went yesterday. One of the Elders in our district needed to go to Bushwick in Brooklyn for a Baptism (Missionaries, whose investigators that they've participated in teaching-even in the past, have the priviledge to return even to a different area in the mission for the baptism of that particular individual). However, he had also been asked to perform the baptism. We all collectively agreed to initiate exchanges again yesterday so that I could have an opportunity to see the projects of Brooklyn!!!!!!!! Elder Gootee and I left early to drive to Bushwick (also, there are no Sister Missionaries in Bushwick, East New York, or Ridgewood-all in Brooklyn- because it's not so safe for them). We turned on another highway, however, missed the exit entirely and crossed the bridge into MANHATTAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The traffic was bad (as in Brooklyn across the river but even worse). I wish that you could see the photos on the new card now!! I have 80 photographs of just Brooklyn and Manhattan alone! We eventually managed to wind through streets and turn around to Williamsburg bridge. Even in Brooklyn, it's totally different.
We attended an English-speaking Sacrament Meeting in a church building which seemed to remind me of a hospital but with even narrower hallways and rooms. In the chapel were windows and I could see the rising apartment buildings nearby.
There were a lot especially of Jews, Blacks, and surprisingly (especially in the branch) a bunch of whites. It's a little tough I hear for whites because of intense discrimination against them. It's a different world. People don't blend together as in California and sometimes Utah. There's a lot of everything in the city, yet, they group together according to culture and customs in neighborhoods such as the gigantic Chinese community in Flushing in Queens (which is also where Elder Griener is now).
Also example, even out of the city on the Island, the English speaking ward park in one parking lot on one side of the church building while the Spanish-speakers park on the other. I don't quite understand why they do it, however, they do. Even some of the stores that you go to are filled with only whites....but then you go to another a few neighborhoods away and there are only blacks! There are two separate wards for English and Spanish too, didn't I mention that? There's one Spanish ward and one English Ward in Bayshore and Brentwood.
It's a great probablility that I could be transferred. I discover whether I am or not on Saturday night!!! It's really random (not quite because the Mission President prays and makes educated decisions as to who will). All I know is that it's unlikely that my companion will be perhaps not leave because he's been barely made District Leader in our District. If it's anyone in our companionship, I'm the one! Or perhaps we both might remain for a transfer more. I don't konw. Send any letters or packages to the Mission Office this week! I love you very much. I absolutely can't wait until you can see my NEW Manhattan and Brooklyn photos!!!
Love you!
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